Beardie tail black -

[opi]

The end of my my Beardie's tail is black ( about 35% percent of he tail). She has had it like this now for weeks. I'm not sure if it is progressing, it may be expanding, but I'm not sure.....

Her specialized vet saw her a week ago during her annual check-up. Blood tests came up okay, her urate levels were a bit high, but everything looked good, otherwise. AND my vet did not mention anything about her tail!!!!

This morning I started to read about "black tails" online, I'm getting concerned about it, and I'm thinking that I should take her to another vet and have her tail checked out.....but before I do that, I wanted to consult with the forum.

The back portion of her tail looks normal in color , but the texture is harder than the rest of her tail. Is there something that I can do at home to help her? I hope they don't have to remove scales, because that sounded horrible!!!!

How do I post pics????

Thanks!!!

Ofelia

 

[opi]

Ok, I hope this works.....I created an account on Photobucket. There are 3 pics posted. I really, really, really appreciate getting some feedback!!!

http://s683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/opi1972/

Thanks!!!

 

[Freeie]

Did all of her tail shead the last time she shead?

 

[opi]

In all honesty, I cannot remember? I did not think much of it until recently.....specially because the vet did not mention anything about her tail, and it was like it is now??? So, I thought it was a normal thing, until I started to read about it today.

 

[momtothreeboys]

I'd be curious to know too because my bearded dragon's tail also looks like that and he is shedding now and his tail is shedding but it is still black underneath. Could it be that they lost their tails at some point at that spot and they are now a different color? I also have taken mine to the vet and he didn't mention anything either. I hope you get some answers on this forum. There are some very knowledgeable people on here. Goodluck!

Jennifer

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

If possible, can I please take a look at the blood tests? You mentioned that the urate levels were high, exactly what were the counts?
Sometimes a black tip can indicate distress or pain, & sometimes it can be preshed. It does not look or appear to be infected.
Does it look like preshed?
Is her beard black off & on?
How is her appetite doing?

Tracie

 

[opi]

The vet told me he would mail me the actual blood tests, I don't have them yet. However this is what he said:

the CBC (complete blood count) reveals normal red and white blood cells, no anemia, sign of infection or inflammation, no blood parasites, and normal type and distribution of white blood cells. The
serum biochemistry reveals normal muscle and liver values, normal electrolytes, and essentially all normal hormonal/endocrine functions. The only subtle abnormality is an elevated uric acid which can be an indicator of kidney function, but given all the other normal values, I wouldn't worry about this single parameter.

Also her vitamin D levels came back normal/good. She's had coccidia on and off since I got her about a year ago. In fact, she is been treated for it right now.

I got her when she was a baby, her tail never fell off/go injured. She recently shed, in fact she is still shedding a bit on her head. I cannot remember if she shed the tail end. At that time, I was not paying attention to that.....

She is eating and acting totally normal. She does not seem to be in pain. If there anything I can do to help her shed? (If that is the problem?)

Thanks.............

 

[Gaius Marius]

I hope your beardie can get over the coccidia. I don't really know, but I don't think that black color tail is a problem. I think that Socrates sheds in sections, and it gets that dulled darker color when he does. Keep watching the tail to see if it sheds and keep disinfecting and working hard to get your beardie over that coccidia. I know it is frustrating to have to deal with that! I hope everything works out for you!

 

[Erica582]

I don't know if this is too simple of an explanation, but my beardie does that too when she's stressed out, it usually comes when she black beards.

 

[opi]

Is there a way to facilitate the shedding process? Her tail has been this way for weeks now. I read some old posts in where people told stories about their vets amputating or removing scales from their berdie tail due to accumulated shed!

So of course, now I'm paranoid :roll:

Would vaseline or oil expedite the process?

Thank you everyone for your responses!!! I feel much better now!

 

[amylee159]

Would vaseline or oil expedite the process?

My BD had really bad retained shed (she didn't shed for a LONG time!) and I put 100% pure aloe vera gel on it, left it on for a while, and then washed it off. She shed her whole body not long after. I would give that a shot

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Is the tail still black? Is her beard black?
Try olive oil or aloe vera gel if you feel her tail is retaining, along with daily baths that should help it out alot.
As for the elevated uric acid levels, HOW elevated were they? Please let me know what the blood tests are when you get them as I would like to see the uric acid levels. They should not be elevated at all & if they are it usually indicates dehydration. If it stays chronically elevated for long periods of time, that can cause kidney damage & lead to gout. So, personally, I think that is something to at least watch for her health.

Tracie

 

[opi]

Her beard is not black. Her behavior is pretty normal, (friendly/relaxed/good appetite).

I haven't heard back from my vet but I will send him a follow-up note next week. I will post her results once I get them. She never drinks; in fact I often have to give her fluids with a syringe.....she gets some fluids from her wet veggies but still....

She absolutely hates water! I give her baths once or twice per week; I will increase to daily baths. I started putting oil on her tail.

Thank you everyone!!

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Good her beard is not black & she is active right now. I just think that when things are initially missed like uric acid levels it can be a problem later. It is best to catch it early.
You can increase the baths yes, as well as oral fluids too if she will take them from a dropper or syringe.
Does she eat vegetation regularly?
How does her tail look today?



Tracie

 

[opi]

Tracie -

Tail looks the same (dark/black).

I give her fluids with a syringe and now I also got a feeding tube, which I may use. She eats veggies quite frequently now - at least 5 days per week.